Discerning the Multilateral Approach Towards Sustainable Development: Paris Agreement vis-à-vis Climate Change

One of the important principles of international environmental law is sustainable development. Like the notion of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDRRC), the concept of sustainable development is concerned with the relationship between environmental and developmental considerations. The Brundtland Commission has defined the term sustainable development as ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. The Rio Declaration uses the term ‘sustainable development’ in twelve of its twenty-seven principles. But the precise content and contours of this basic concept remains elusive. Rather offer a definition, the declaration outlines various elements of sustainable development. The Paris agreement is a clear indication that our global policy makers and stakeholders of global sustainable development are determined to mitigate the inevitable climate disaster and accelerate sustainable development for the benefit of the people and the planet. One important element is that development, while essential, must remain within the carrying capacity of the environment and, therefore, that environmental protection must be part of development process. The article precisely explores these multilateral facets of sustainable development goals.